Topsy, the ill-tempered Coney Island elephant, was put to death in Luna
Park, Coney Island, yesterday afternoon. The execution was witnessed by
1,500 or more curious persons, who went down to the island to see the
end of the huge beast, to whom they had fed peanuts and cakes in
summers that are gone. In order to make Topsy's execution quick and
sure 460 grams of cyanide of potassium were fed to her in carrots. Then
a hawser was put around her neck and one end attached to a donkey
engine and the other to a post. Next wooden sandals lined with copper
were attached to her feet. These electrodes were connected by copper
wire with the Edison electric light plant and a current of 6,600 volts
was sent through her body. The big beast died without a trumpet or a
groan.